translation
gb/tɹænzlˈeɪʃən/ us/tɹænzlˈeɪʃən/
A2
English
~ 2700
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
action
1
changing text into another language
The act of changing words from one language to another.
Usage pattern:
a translation of [something] into [language]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'translation' (written) with 'interpretation' (spoken).
Synonyms
interpretation (Often used for spoken language rather than written text.)
Antonyms
original (Refers to the source text before being translated.)
Collocations
literal translation
|machine translation
|professional translation
|translation service
|translation software
Themes
language
|communication
|writing
|education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The translation of the novel took over a year to complete.
- She provided an accurate translation of the document.
- This is the official English translation of the treaty.
- I used an online tool for the translation.
- The translation captures the humor of the original text.
Learner examples
- I read the English translation of the book.
- This is a translation from Spanish to English.
- He made a translation of the letter.
- We need a translation for this article.
Noun
A2
entity
2
a text in another language
A piece of writing or speech that has been changed into another language.
Usage pattern:
the [language] translation of [something]
Synonyms
rendering (A formal term for a version or representation, including in translation contexts.)
Antonyms
source text (The original text before it is translated.)
Collocations
French translation
|official translation
|free translation
Themes
language
|communication
|education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I bought the French translation of the novel.
- The museum offers translations of all labels in English.
- This translation is better than the previous one.
- They released a new translation of the classic play.
Learner examples
- I read a translation of the story.
- This is the German translation of my book.
- We need an English translation of this report.
Noun
technical
B2
event
3
straight-line movement in physics or engineering
In science, movement in a straight line without turning.
Synonyms
displacement (In physics, displacement refers to change in position, but can include rotation; translation is specifically without rotation.)
Antonyms
rotation (Refers to turning around an axis, opposite to pure linear movement.)
Collocations
linear translation
|mechanical translation
Themes
science
|engineering
Examples
- The machine converts rotational motion into linear translation.
- In geometry, a translation moves every point by the same distance and direction.
- This part controls the smooth translation of the platform.
Learner examples
- In geometry, a translation moves a shape without turning it.
- The device makes a translation from left to right.
- Translation moves an object straight without rotation.
Grammar
Dictionary form
translation
IPA
GB/tɹænzlˈeɪʃən/
US/tɹænzlˈeɪʃən/
Syllables & stress
trans - la - tion (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (la)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: translation
- Plural: translation, translations
Word family
Forms
translations
noun
Core family
translate
verb B1
translator
noun B1
Related words
mistranslate
verb
mistranslation
noun
Negative and opposite forms
untranslatable
adjective
Advanced or less common
translatable
adjective
Expressions
in translation
1/ˈɪn tɹænzlˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
while being translated between languages
Happening while something is being changed into another language.
Examples
- Some jokes are lost in translation.
- The meaning changed slightly in translation.
lost in translation
1/lˈɔst ˈɪn tɹænzlˈeɪʃən/
idiom
meaning lost between languages or forms
Used when some of the meaning, feeling, or small details disappear because something is put into another language or form.
Examples
- The poem's beauty was lost in translation.
- The joke was funny in Japanese, but it got lost in translation.
- Humor often gets lost in translation.
- Some of the poem’s beauty is inevitably lost in translation.
- A lot of nuance can be lost in translation when you discuss complex ideas.